What the Chase Marriott Bonvoy card offers
The Chase Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card earns points on spending that you can redeem for hotel stays, flights, and other travel. You earn points at a higher rate on Marriott purchases and a lower rate on everything else. The card comes with an annual fee, a sign-up bonus (the size varies by offer), and perks like room upgrades and late checkout at Marriott properties.
The card is issued by Chase and linked to Marriott Bonvoy, the hotel chain's loyalty program. Points don't expire as long as your account stays active — you need at least one earning or redemption activity every 24 months. If your account goes dormant, Marriott will close it and you lose the points.
This card makes sense if you stay at Marriott hotels regularly or can meet a sign-up bonus threshold. If you rarely use Marriott properties, the annual fee will cost more than the benefits are worth.
Key Takeaways
- You earn a higher point rate on Marriott purchases and a lower rate on other spending, plus bonus points on your anniversary with the card each year.
- The sign-up bonus requires you to spend a set amount within a few months; the exact bonus and spending threshold change by offer.
- Points redeem for Marriott hotel nights, flights through Marriott's travel partners, and other rewards, but the value per point varies widely by property and date.
- The annual fee is charged every year; you need to decide whether the anniversary bonus and other perks justify keeping the card.
- Points expire if your Marriott Bonvoy account has no activity for 24 months, so you must use or earn points regularly to keep them.
How points earning works
You earn points on every purchase you make with the card. The earning rate is higher for Marriott-related spending — hotel stays, dining at Marriott restaurants, and purchases through the Marriott Bonvoy website — and lower for everything else like groceries, gas, and utilities.
The card also gives you a bonus point award on your card anniversary each year, separate from the sign-up bonus. This anniversary bonus is automatic; you don't have to do anything to receive it. Some versions of the card also offer accelerated earning during promotional periods, though these change over time.
Points are deposited into your Marriott Bonvoy account within a few days of the purchase posting to your credit card. You can check your balance anytime by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account online or through the Marriott app.
Sign-up bonuses and how to meet them
Chase offers a sign-up bonus when you open a new Marriott Bonvoy card. The bonus size and the spending requirement to earn it both vary depending on the current offer. You'll see the exact terms before you explore — Chase shows you the bonus amount and the dollar threshold you need to spend within a set timeframe, usually three months.
The spending requirement counts only purchases made with the card itself, not balance transfers or cash advances. If you spend the required amount within the window, the bonus posts to your Marriott Bonvoy account automatically. If you don't meet the threshold, you won't receive the bonus, though you keep any points you earned from regular spending.
You're only may be able to access for the sign-up bonus if you haven't received one on a Marriott Bonvoy card from Chase within the past 24 months. Chase tracks this across all versions of the card they offer.
Redeeming points for hotel stays
The most common way to use points is to book a free night at a Marriott property. You search for available dates on the Marriott Bonvoy website, and the number of points required depends on the hotel's category and the date. Peak season dates cost more points than off-season dates at the same property.
Marriott assigns each hotel a category from 1 to 8, and hotels in higher categories cost more points per night. A category 1 hotel might cost 10,000 points per night, while a category 8 resort could cost 50,000 or more. The same hotel can have different point costs on different dates — a beachfront property costs more points in summer than in winter.
When you redeem points for a night, you cover the room only. Taxes, resort fees, and parking are your responsibility unless the property offers a points-inclusive rate, which bundles some of these costs into the point price. Read the fine print when you search for availability to see what's included.
Other ways to use points
Beyond hotel nights, Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to airline partners at a set conversion rate. You can also use points to book flights directly through the Marriott travel portal, though the point-to-dollar value is often lower than transferring to an airline and booking there. Points can also pay for dining, spa services, and activities at some Marriott properties, though these redemptions are usually less valuable than hotel stays.
You can combine points with cash to book a hotel night if you don't have enough points for a full redemption. This "Points + Cash" option lets you pay part of the cost in points and part in dollars, which is useful when you're short a few thousand points.
Card benefits beyond points
The card includes a room upgrade benefit at Marriott properties when you check in. The upgrade is not may provide — it depends on availability — but cardholders are prioritized over non-members. You also get late checkout, usually until 4 p.m., which gives you extra time before you have to leave.
The card provides travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and emergency medical and dental coverage when you're traveling. It also includes purchase protection and extended warranty coverage on items you buy with the card. The specific coverage limits and exclusions are in the full terms, which Chase provides when you open the account.
You receive a statement credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every few years, which covers the process fee for either program. This benefit alone can offset part of the annual fee if you travel frequently and need expedited security screening.
Annual fee and whether it's worth it
The card charges an annual fee each year on your card anniversary. This fee is separate from any sign-up bonus — you pay it whether or not you use the card. The anniversary bonus you receive helps offset this cost, but you need to calculate whether the bonus plus other benefits justify the fee based on your own spending and travel patterns.
If you stay at Marriott hotels at least once or twice a year and can use the anniversary bonus, the card often pays for itself. If you rarely travel or don't stay at Marriott properties, the annual fee will likely cost more than the benefits are worth. Consider your actual travel plans before explore, not your aspirational ones.
You can cancel the card anytime without penalty. If you decide the fee isn't worth it after a year or two, you can close the account. Any points you've earned stay in your Marriott Bonvoy account as long as you keep that account active, even if you close the credit card.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my points if I cancel the card?
Your points stay in your Marriott Bonvoy account. Canceling the credit card does not delete your points. You keep them as long as your Marriott Bonvoy account remains active, which requires at least one earning or redemption activity every 24 months. You can still redeem points for hotel stays and other rewards after you close the card.
Can I transfer my points to someone else?
Marriott allows you to transfer points to another Marriott Bonvoy member's account, but there is a fee per transfer. The cost varies based on the number of points transferred. You can also combine points with a family member's account if you're both members, though the rules for this vary by situation.
How long does it take to see my sign-up bonus in my account?
Once you meet the spending requirement, the bonus typically posts within a few days to a week. It goes directly into your Marriott Bonvoy account, not your credit card statement. You can check your Marriott account online or in the app to confirm the bonus has arrived before you book a hotel stay.
Do I earn points on the annual fee itself?
No. The annual fee does not earn points. Only purchases you make with the card earn points. The anniversary bonus is a separate reward that Marriott credits to your account, not points earned from spending.
What if a hotel I want to book has no availability at any point price?
Some hotels and dates have no award availability, meaning Marriott is not releasing rooms for points redemption on those dates. You can try booking a different date or a different property. You can also use the Points + Cash option to pay partly in cash if you want to stay on a specific date when award availability is limited.